Sharples & Trinder shine for Saxons at sunny Saints

England Saxons got their Churchill Cup defence off to a flying start with an entertaining but ultimately one sided 87-8 victory over the USA on Saturday afternoon with much attacking threat on the day 'Made in Gloucester'.

It was impressive stuff overall from the Saxons and will have sent a shudder through the other teams competing in the tournament as the USA were despatched with ease.

Fresh from his try scoring appearance for England against the Barbarians last weekend, Gloucester centre Henry Trinder was in no mood to waste the surfeit of quality possession that headed his way.

Time and again, Trinder found himself with time and space to work in and was able to show his pace and running ability.

However, just as eye catching was his timing of the pass and on several occasions he sucked in the USA defence before delivering an exquisitely timed pass to free the man outside him.

Sharples had less time to impress as he was named amongst the replacements and only took the field in the second half when he replaced Topsy Ojo.

As if to make up for that lost time, he was quickly into the action and struck immediate fear into his opposite number with his searing pace.

His confidence in his own ability to take his man on the outside led to Henry Trinder's try as his Gloucester team mate intelligently took a line inside the flying winger and the offload inside gave the centre a clear run to the line.

And he made the score sheet himself just minutes later as he latched onto a kick through by scrum half Paul Hodgson who spotted no-one at home defensively. Pure speed took him clear and all he had to do was ground the ball correctly.

Both players simply did what they've been doing in a Gloucester shirt all season and will hopefully have the opportunity to do so again next weekend when the Saxons take on Tonga at Kingsholm (Sunday June 12th, 2pm).

That game will be followed by Italy A vs Russia so don't miss out on a Churchill Cup double header.

Speaking to GRTV in front of the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge, Henry Trinder explained how important the West Country Challenge Cup is going to be for the Cherry and Whites in their preseason preparations.

Speaking to GRTV at preseason training this Tuesday, new signing Willi Heinz gave an update on his recovery from a leg injury and expressed his enjoyment since his arrival in new surroundings with Gloucester Rugby.

Speaking to GRTV after the 22-23 defeat against Bordeaux-Begles which denied Gloucester a place in next season's European Rugby Champions Cup, Nick Wood rued the momentary lapse in concentration which allowed the French side to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

As Gloucester prepare for their 39th game of the season, against Bordeaux-Begles at Sixways on Sunday, David Humphreys told the local media that this week has been all about getting the players mentally and physically ready after a tough game against Connacht last Sunday.

Gloucester Rugby and Scotland scrum half Greig Laidlaw is gearing up for Rugby World Cup with his international teammates, and speaking to the assembled media this week, Laidlaw is excited to be in familiar surroundings at the showcase tournament.

With 50 days to go until Rugby World Cup 2015 gets underway several of the nations that are set to take to the Kingsholm Stadium field during the pool stages were in action in Toronto in Round Three of the Pacific Nations Cup.